What properties should you look for in a metal alloy?
The technically superior nickel alloys that Corrotherm supply are the result of many years of development and innovation. It takes a long time to craft a nickel alloy precisely to give the right properties for a range of industrial uses. Alloys are carefully formed through chemical interactions of the different components, as well as skilled production methods.
Individual pure metals have their own properties that can be desirable in certain applications. However, a nickel alloy looks to combine many different properties in one material. Alloys also have properties that are not possible in individual metals alone, but are achieved through the careful blending of several elements.
A design engineer researching to select the right materials for a project needs to look at the properties of each alloy to find the best combination to suit the service environment it will be used in.
Resistance against corrosion
One of the key attributes of the nickel alloys that Corrotherm supply is corrosion resistance. This is one of the most vital properties when selecting a material for industrial use, as corrosion can not only lead to a short life for the parts produced, but in many industries, corrosion can be a critical issue that compromises the safety of the application.
Therefore, it’s important to understand the service environment and the kind of outside media that components will be exposed to, as each alloy offers a different tolerance against certain corrosive factors. For example, INCONEL alloy 625 is often utilised in highly corrosive environments such as sour gas pipelines and seawater heat exchangers because it is proven to be resistant to potable and salt or brackish water.
High-temperature capabilities
Many industrial applications will involve particularly high operating temperatures. Materials used need to be able to withstand these temperatures without warping or weakening. They also need to be able to withstand corrosion at these elevated temperatures as well. Most of the nickel alloys that Corrotherm supplies have a wide operating temperature range.
INCONEL 690 is known for its excellent resistance to high-temperature atmospheres. It has a high chromium content, which lends the alloy outstanding resistance to high-temperature oxidising gases. It also performs well in high-temperature water, which makes it useful for steam generator tubes.
Strong and ductile
For most industrial applications, nickel alloys need to be strong and yet ductile. They also need to be able to retain this strength at high temperatures and when exposed to different corrosive media. The INCONEL alloy range of products all combine nickel and chromium, which makes for a potent combination for high strength.
Adding in additional elements, in particular molybdenum, gives an alloy even more desirable strength properties, as seen in INCONEL alloy 718. This alloy offers good tensile, fatigue, creep and rupture strength, and as such it has been utilised for applications in rockets and aircraft.
To find out more about the nickel alloys that Corrotherm stock, please visit the Grades section of the website or contact our Sales team to discuss your requirements.
